Old English edit

Etymology edit

From Proto-Germanic *gahabjaną, equivalent to ġe- +‎ habban. Akin to Old Saxon gihebbian, Gothic 𐌲𐌰𐌷𐌰𐌱𐌰𐌽 (gahaban), Old High German gihabēn.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /jeˈxɑb.bɑn/, [jeˈhɑb.bɑn]

Verb edit

ġehabban

  1. to hold onto, keep from
  2. to maintain, retain
  3. to detain, restrain
  4. to preserve
    • c. 992, Ælfric, "Sermon on the Nativiity of Our Lord"
      Þyssera ðrēora hyrda ġemynd is ġehæfd be ēastan Bethleem āne mīle, on Godes cyrcan ġeswutelod, þām ðe ðā stōwe ġenēosiað.
      The memory of these three shepherds is preserved one mile to the east of Bethlehem, and manifested in God's church to those who visit the place.

Conjugation edit